Course syllabus - Thesis in Physiotherapy with Specialization in Behavioural Medicine, Master

Objectives

The objective of the course is for students to independently plan, carry out, analyse and present an empirical developmental- and research project within a Behavioural Medicine problem domain in Physiotherapy

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, students shall be able to: 
1. plan a scientific project based on a research problem
2. describe the background for the planned project by compilation and critical evaluation of  relevant and adequate scientific literature, so that the objective and the research questions of the project are motivated by the knowledge lacking within the domain of interest 
3. apply theories of importance to the project in the background and interpretation of the results, or in the discussion part for qualitative projects with an inductive approach 
4. choose and motivate the choice of design and data collection methods of relevance to the research problem 
5. choose and motivate the choice of adequate methods for data analyses, and compile, analyse and interpret data 
6. discuss and critically evaluate methods and results in relation to quality criteria and other research within the research area
7. report and discuss ethical considerations in the planning and execution of the project
8. evaluate the generalisability or transferability of the results, clinical implications of the results and to propose further research based on methods and results in the project 
9. motivate and discuss the project's behavioural medicine approach 
10. critically evaluate and conduct an argumentative discussion on a scientific level regarding the student's own and others' work

Course content

The planning and implementation of a scientific project within a Behavioural Medicine problem domain in Physiotherapy
Design and data collection methods  
Data analysis 
Ethical considerations in research
Writing a report
Written and oral presentation of the thesis project
Written and oral review of other students' thesis projects  
Critical examination and evaluation of studies

Specific requirements

A Bachelor's degree within the subject domain of Physiotherapy, Qualitative Research Methods I and Quantitative Research Methods I, or the equivalent, 7.5 credits

Examination

EXA1, Thesis, 15 credits, Marks Pass (G) or Pass with Distinction (VG)

A student who has a certificate from MDU regarding a disability has the opportunity to submit a request for supportive measures during written examinations or other forms of examination, in accordance with the Rules and Regulations for Examinations at First-cycle and Second-cycle Level at Mälardalen University (2020/1655). It is the examiner who takes decisions on any supportive measures, based on what kind of certificate is issued, and in that case which measures are to be applied.

Suspicions of attempting to deceive in examinations (cheating) are reported to the Vice-Chancellor, in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance, and are examined by the University’s Disciplinary Board. If the Disciplinary Board considers the student to be guilty of a disciplinary offence, the Board will take a decision on disciplinary action, which will be a warning or suspension.

Grade

Pass with distinction, Pass, Fail